Job Overview
The Safe Opportunity Foster Alliance Board of Directors is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Director to lead a licensed and accredited child residential center located in Gallia County, Ohio. This role is responsible for overall operations, regulatory compliance, program quality, and staff leadership in accordance with Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) requirements and Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) standards. The ideal candidate will possess strong management skills, a visionary mindset, and the ability to inspire and guide senior leadership. This position is pivotal in shaping the organization’s future, driving strategic growth, and ensuring operational excellence while maintaining alignment with SOFA’s mission and objectives. The Executive Director will also serve as the primary representative of the organization, fostering and sustaining relationships with stakeholders, partners, and the broader community.
Duties
- Provide overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for SOFA.
- Ensure full compliance with all applicable Ohio Department of Children and Youth licensing rules for residential centers, including staffing, supervision, training, incident reporting, documentation, and child safety requirements.
- Ensure organizational adherence to CARF standards related to leadership, governance, risk management, rights of persons served, health and safety, and service delivery.
- Ensure that all residential and therapeutic services are delivered in accordance with individualized service plans, treatment goals, and best practices.
- Ensure adequate staffing levels that meet licensing and accreditation requirements.
- Oversee the development and administration of the organization’s budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all children served, staff, and visitors.
- Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors.
- Represent the organization professionally with DCY, CARF, placing agencies, community partners, and the public.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with referral sources and oversight agencies.
- Advocate for the needs of children served and the organization within the child welfare and behavioral health systems; and
- Other duties as assigned.
- Provide regular, accurate, and timely reports to the Board of Directors regarding operations, compliance, outcomes, staffing, and finances;
- Support the Board of Directors in fulfilling its governance, fiduciary, and oversight responsibilities.
- Implement Board-approved strategic plans, policies, and directives.
- Oversee risk management practices, including emergency preparedness, incident review, and corrective actions.
- Ensure that allegations of abuse, neglect, or policy violations are handled promptly, appropriately, and in compliance with law and policy.
- Ensure sound fiscal practices, internal controls, and compliance with funding requirements and contracts.
- Monitor revenues, expenditures, audits, and financial reports to ensure fiscal stability and sustainability.
- Ensure proper oversight of budget and other fiscal duties.
- Oversee recruitment, hiring, orientation, training, supervision, evaluation, and discipline of management staff.
- Ensure compliance with personnel policies, labor laws, training requirements, and background check standards.
- Foster staff development, retention, morale, and accountability through clear expectations and performance management.
- Oversee coordination with placing agencies, schools, behavioral health providers, and other stakeholders;
- Ensure effective interdisciplinary teamwork, including regular service team meetings and documentation;
- Monitor program outcomes, trends, and performance indicators to improve safety, permanency, and treatment effectiveness.
- Lead and coordinate CARF accreditation surveys, including self-assessments, corrective action plans, and ongoing compliance activities;
- Promote CARF principles of person-centered planning, measurable outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and continuous quality improvement;
- Oversee preparation for, response to, and follow-up from DCY licensing inspections, monitoring visits, corrective action plans, and investigations;
- Ensure timely reporting of critical incidents, allegations, and unusual incidents in accordance with DCY and mandated reporter requirements;
- Implement policies and procedures approved by the Board of Directors and ensure consistent enforcement throughout the organization;
- Promote a professional, ethical, and trauma-informed organizational culture that supports staff accountability, child safety, and continuous quality improvement;
- Ensure that the Center’s mission, values, and goals are integrated into daily operations and service delivery;
Skills
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, child development, and behavioral health treatment models;
- Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, risk management, and quality assurance;
- Ability to interpret and implement complex regulations, standards, and policies;
- Strong fiscal management and analytical skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and make decisions in high-risk environments.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, Public Administration, Education or a related field (Master’s Degree, LISW or LSW preferred);
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible management or administrative experience in child welfare, residential treatment, behavioral health, education or a related field;
- Experience working with regulatory agencies and/or accreditation bodies; and
- Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and organizational management skills.
Salary Range
- Salary negotiable based upon experience and qualifications.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
